On the second floor of the underground parking lot. In an obviously newly made room made from the same cement keeping the whole building together stood. Elyas was laying unconscious on a white bed. He wasn't alone, surrounding him were dozens of dirty blue curtains, hiding another bed just like his.

  The building's electricity wasn't supplied by generators, it was easier to use Artifacts or hire Dreamers with electrical powers to do it. They powered the fluorescent lights of the ceiling. The lights weren't pleasing to the eye, making Elyas wake up early.

  He looked around as he wiped the sleep off of his eyes. All he saw were crude wooden furniture and vases filled with dead flowers. There was no nurse to direct his questions at. All he remembered was how the test went and Julius’s last words.

  Despite all that had happened, Elyas was fine. Actually, he hadn't felt this good and energetic in months… Or years. His face and shoulders had completely healed, not even leaving a scar. His skinny frame had shrunk even more, as if he hadn't eaten in days.

  “Damn I'm hungry…” As he said that he couldn't help but sneer at his circumstances.

  “How many times has it been? Two? First In front of Noah and now Julius… Am I bound to act like a damsel in distress in front of stoic people?”

  Thinking about how many times he fainted made him chuckle out loud. But then he remembered something. ‘That kid Cid…Thers something his hiding. First his caution near me and now his speed… he's probably a Dreamer. I don't have a good feeling about this.’

  Elyas, despite not having the same knowledge as teacher Julius, came to the same conclusion:

  Cid was a Dreamer for some time, and has been hiding it.

  Julius had suspicions of the child being part of a Syndicate, being a thief or backstreet rat, even part of the Heartbreakers. Meanwhile Elyas, unaware of the existence of such groups, had suspected personal reasons.

  ‘Maybe the kid just wants to keep his neck. After all, the easiest way to kill a dreamer is to get to them before they even understand their powers.’

  Elyas was not as knowledgeable as the teachers of the D.E.B, but he had lived in the apocalypse for some time. Even if just for a year, he knew that there are a lot of people who target weak Dreamers. After all, the Artifacts people sold had to get their powers from somewhere.

  ‘...The more I think about it, the more I lean toward this being the case. If it wasn't, and he was a criminal, then why risk exposing yourself in front of your whole class and mentor? Why save me?’

  ‘Maybe he's just young and arrogant, not able to keep himself from showing off… Trying to show off. Regardless of his motivations, I owe the kid my thanks.’

  As Elyas sat in silence, his mind still reeling from the weight of the boy’s secret. But the sound of footsteps and the soft scrape of curtains pulled him from his thoughts.

  A hand brushed the blue curtains aside, two familiar faces stood above him.

  Noah, with his dark hair and matching attire, tried to keep his cool next to the giant standing beside him. But as he saw Elyas, without even a scratch, he couldn't keep it in. “Elyas you're fine!” Noah said in excitement, rushing over to examine him properly.

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  “Hahaha. What did you expect from my wife, cap? she's the best healer—”

  “Best healer this shithole of a city has. Yes we know, no need to boast about it every chance you get.” Noah interrupted, rolling his eyes as he finished his sentence for him.

  “Cap?” Elyas voiced his question, Julius looked at him, and then Noah, pausing red for a moment before bursting into laughter.

  “Hahahah…uhhh” He wiped away tears before adding: "Don't tell me you were too embarrassed… and didn't tell your new friend?” he asked Noah with a teasing tone. laughing and giggling the whole way through.

  Noah turned red as he answered. It was hard to tell if the cause was anger or embarrassment. “What was I supposed to say?! Hi! My name is Noah, the former captain of the Protectors of Mistwood?!"

  Elyas remained silent as he watched the two men fight. Mock each other like children. He was sure some of his classmates acted more like adults. ‘...It hasn't been three minutes since I created the image of stoic, imposing figures for you two.’

  Sounds of footsteps entered the room again. Getting closer before someone came into view. Julius and Noah were too busy bickering to notice her. The lady had delicate skin… that was where her femininity ended. In front of Elyas was a woman almost as tall as the giant standing beside her.

  Unlike him, she had a much lighter skin complexion. Yet, she couldn't and didn't hide her light tan. It was more prominent with her white robe inlaid with gold.

  Her build was nearly as meaty as the trainer. The robe hugged her tightly, showing off her inhuman physic.

  “Good to see you're still kicking.” stating plainly, she shot a glance at Elyas. Although it wasn't the best way to phrase it, her gentle and motherly voice made her choice of words comforting none the less.

  The lady, noticing his stupified expression aimed at the two men, stopped them with a few words. “We aren't kids anymore. Stop acting like them.” Her gentle yet stern look pierced the men, making them stop immediately. She turned towards Elyas and said with her usual tone, smiling.

  “My name is Angelica. I'm the head of the nursing group of the Protection Protocol… you've already seen my husband Julius, although a bit paranoid and rough around the edges, he's a good hearted man.”

  Angelica introduced, giving a briefing on the situation. “I overheard you two talking. Your friend Noah was the former captain of the Protectors. That's all you need to know for now. Also you're free to go now…Make sure to eat a few days worth of food and water, healing magic has its downsides.”

  She turned to leave, but then said.

  “Oh, and before I forget, I need to check a few things, do you mind?” She gave Elyas the formalities. After seeing him agree with a nod, she asked, “Do you feel any lingering pain in your abdomen, arms, shoulders or head?”

  Elyas shook his head to most of her questions. And with that and a few physical tests, she left the room. Angelica closed the door while shaking her head, looking at Julius.

  Noah and Julius stared at each other and then at Elyas, then spoke at the same time.

  “wanna get something to eat?”

  Elyas stared, dumbfounded at their question.

  ‘... That's all you two have to say?’

  “I think I'll eat later.”

  “suit yourself.”

  “you do you.”

  They said as Noah looked and then nodded at Julius. “Hey Elyas.” Julius said with some hesitation before adding. “... It seems my suspicions on you were… wrong. Although not the best way to apologize, it still showed his sincerity. Considering his now friendly and reserved mannor compared to before.

  “No problem. You only tried to protect your students. I would have done the same if I were in your place.” Elyas added before some deliberation, “...Why do you suddenly believe me?”

  Noah answered instead:

  “Oh he doesn't. He probably doesn't believe a word you'd say right now… But he told me about what happened today when we were on the seventh floor. After realising that I was your affiliate in the Protocol, his suspicions of you being a spy or a Heartbreaker shattered immediately.” He added,“That's how I'm here.”

  “So that's how it is…Mr Julius, can I ask you a question?”

  “Yes, go on, also just call me Julius.”

  “What happened—No, where is Cid right now?”

  As if flipped a switch, Julius’s friendly and inviting demeanor shifted as he heard the name. Turning to his usual, serious and professionally distant attitude.

  “He's being investigated by a few Protectors and Enforcers down in the fourth floor. Why?”

  Elyas paused before asking, “I owe him.”

  “...I understand, but you can't see him before the Protocol is done with its process…If he's clean, you two can have your talk.”

  “The kid just hid his powers and the fact that he was a Dreamer. Isn't that what we all do to some extent?” Elyas responded.

  Noah shook his head, “it's more than that. It's the fate of the city—” Elyas jumped in, not letting Noah finish, “But he's just a child what can he do—”

  Noah did the same, “He could have turned into a Nightmare…we can't risk letting something as powerful exist inside the city walls” He paused, looking at Elyas with a hint of pity.

  “I forgot you didn't know… But that's how Vernis fell.”

  Elyas and Noah, who knew of his situation, fell silent. Both of them had one thought, although for different reasons.

  ‘A child in a city of Nightmares…’

  Elyas contemplated for a dozen seconds, creating an awkward silence. After a bit, he managed to ask one of the questions he so desperately ran from.

  Elyas gritted his teeth. Imagining it won't help him so he didn't. Instead, he asked a question.

  “…What exactly happened to the City of Fog?”